Road site assistance seemed an iffy prospect in middle of Cambodia. I mean, you couldn’t really call your car insurance company.

Me: “Hi. My car is broken.”

Operator: “Okay, we will send someone out. Where are you?”

Me: “Um, somewhere in middle of Cambodia.”

Operator: “…[hysterical laughter]… Click.”

The driver looked at us. We looked at him. Simultaneously, we all started laughing. What else could you do? We were in middle of nowhere, radiator was shot and it was 60 miles or so to Phnom Penh.

Looking back, I can tell you that Cambodian taxi drivers are a committed and creative group. We sat on side of road, contemplating fact that we were about to have a much more authentic Cambodian experience then any of us had planned. Mysteriously, our driver had gone off into brush on side of road. After a few minutes, he returned with a dark green leaf and a big smile.

Putting MacGyver to shame, he proceeded to patch crack in radiator using only leaf and tube of superglue. We all moved back as he applied superglue to boiling hot radiator, but nothing went up in flames. After allowing for a suitable amount of time for drying/praying, all we needed was water.

Although admittedly not a car expert, I do know pouring cold water into radiator of an overheating engine is a bad idea. MacGyver, err… our driver, didn’t bat an eye despite our extensive arm waving. With a big smile, water went into radiator as we watched in horror. The only question was what would happen first, leaf patch bursting or engine seizing up?

Well, you can guess how it turned out. Not only did we make it to Phnom Penh, we later learned radiator had two other leaf patches on bottom. The road had been smooth, but my nerves were still shot. At least I had ample ammunition to mock MacGyver fans.

There is nothing like spectacle of seeing and hearing thousands of snow geese coming in for a landing. With one small exception, road will accommodate tour buses and RV's. To really get most out of Bombay Hook, consider picking up cassette tape narrating auto tour that is available from Visitors center. Keep your eyes peeled along side of road. Watch for wading birds, like herons and egrets which feed on fish in ponds and ditches, which line tour route.

As many as 315 bird species have been counted on refuge. One of more interesting and rare birds to see here is bald eagle. If you are lucky, you may get a chance to see one of these magnificent birds. You can't miss a mature eagle with it's snow white head. There is no mistaking an eagle when it flies. It's probably one of most graceful things you will ever witness. It very amazing when you realize just how large this bird really is. Bombay Hook is perfect place for symbol of our country to call home. The salt marshes are ideal and those fish are an important source of food for many birds, including bald eagles and their young.

For a little variety, 250 year old Allee House is open to visitors on weekend during spring and fall. This historic house is in process of being restored. It's a excellent example of an 18th century farmhouse in this area.

If that's not enough to keep you busy, Friends of Bombay Hook (a non-profit group) offers many activities year-round. These include field trips, workshops for whole family, and presentations by leaders in different environmental fields.

Whether you are a nature person, or just looking for something fun and different to do on your vacation, Bombay Hook is a great place to spend time and learn. The Refuge is open daily from Sunrise to Sunset.

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Ernest C. Lancaster is excited about Airfare and is the owner of Everything About Airfare